Perseverance of Bataan Death March survivors inspires generations

National Guard Capt. Kelly Leugers smiles as Bataan Death March survivor John Leroy Mims, 91, kisses her hand after she crossed the finish line Sunday at the Bataan Memorial Death March at White Sands Missile Range. Survivors took the time to shake the hands of all finishers, a task that can be grueling at times for the aging survivors, as they tend to bruise a lot more easily, according to Sarah Leonard, daughter of Bataan survivor Oscar Leonard.

WHITE SANDS MISSILE RANGE — Participants and observers at the Bataan Memorial Death March were drawn to the event for myriad reasons: some to show their gratitude and honor another's sacrifice, others to accept that thanks with gratitude of their own.

John Mims, 91, Bataan survivor

He needs help to stand at attention, but 91-year-old John Mims' eyes sparkled as he sat at the opening ceremony for the 2013 Bataan Memorial Death March.

Generous with his salutes, Mims relished any chance he had to acknowledge the thousands gathered to honor him and the few other remaining Bataan Death March survivors — plus those American and Filipino soldiers who never returned from the infamous forced march by Japanese military through sweltering Pacific jungles in April of 1942.

"I've missed one or two," he said, sitting in a row of other survivors. "Every so often, they put me in the hospital and won't let me go."

Childhood ailments and Japanese coal dust damaged his lungs, but Mims, a member of the 31st U.S. Infantry Unit known as the Polar Bears, was well enough Sunday to take in the adulation.

He wore medals and pins, which he had fashioned into bolo ties, then joined his fellow survivors for breakfast.

At the end, he kissed hands of those that competed.

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Mark Trask, participant, Oak Park, Ill.

As he took a brief break near WSMR's Missile Park at the water station, Mark Trask wore two reminders.

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On his head was a green visor with orange-flame colored faux hair, a less-than-subtle reminder that — aside from being a day to remember the brutal aftermath of the Battle of Bataan — Sunday was St. Patrick's Day.

"Just having a little fun," he said.

Taking a more serious tone, he wore a photo of his grandfather, Richard Trask, on a T-shirt. The elder Trask is a Bataan Death March survivor.

Like many participants, the younger Trask marches to honor his grandfather.

"Just because he did so much for us," Mark Trask said. "This is something little we can do for him."

The grandfather loves it.

"He feels like a superstar," Trask said. "That's why he comes."

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Jeff Oerding, participant, Canby, Ore.

Caleb Hall, participant, Las Cruces

To the untrained eye, it was difficult to distinguish the scores of enlisted personnel participating in the latest edition of the Bataan Memorial Death March.

But some uniforms stood out.

They belonged to Jeff Oerding and Caleb Hall, who both donned period uniforms Sunday.

Oerding, who performs "military living history" and attends the march with his wife, wore the WWII uniform he got from a veteran he met living in the Pacific northwest. After the veteran retired, he used the uniform for fishing. Aside from some fish blood stains and tatters, it's in good shape.

He also held aloft an American flag from that era — it had 48 stars and was made from a wool-cotton composite. His nylon flag, he said, would have frayed in the spring winds whipping through the desert.

Hall likely resembled at least some of the 13 Bataan veterans expected to watch Sunday's march through and around WSMR. He wore a WWI uniform because that's what those in Bataan did.

"It makes me appreciate more what they went through," Hall said of the memorial march.

Hall said his great-grandfather served in the European theater in WWII.

Hall is serving in the Army, and said the antique and modern uniforms don't feel substantially different.

Louella Buchanan, participant, Albuquerque (James Staley / Sun-News)

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Kivi Koeppe, 39, Maui, and Lexi Pippin, 36, Houston, participants

For Kivi Koeppe and Lexi Pippin, trekking through the New Mexico desert was a family event.

Their grandfather, Pablo Caigoy, started his military experience serving for the Philippines. After what he experienced in the Battle of Bataan, he eventually served for the U.S., and became a citizen.

Their grandmother recently died at age 100.

Their father and uncle recently retired.

"It marked a good time to have a milestone," said Koeppe, who is from Hawaii.

They were walking in the shorter, 14.2-mile course.

Said Pippin, who hails from Houston, "It's pretty inspirational ... to see the community between the military and civilians."

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Louella Buchanan, participant, Albuquerque

In her third Bataan Memorial Death March, Louelle Buchanan decided to do the honorary march, which is a little more than half the full marathon distance of 26.2 miles.

A friend suggested that she try the march three years ago. Last year, she competed in the full distance.

"I said, "OK.'" she said.

It was that easy. But the event isn't.

"It's hard," Buchanan said.

What keeps her coming back? Talking to veterans, which she called "inspirational."